If this dreadful thing is not taken away I shall go mad

Image Not Available for If this dreadful thing is not taken away I shall go mad
If this dreadful thing is not taken away I shall go mad
Image Not Available for If this dreadful thing is not taken away I shall go mad

If this dreadful thing is not taken away I shall go mad

Date1908
Illustration Citation"The Mysterious Chest," by Howard Pyle, in Harper's Monthly Magazine, December 1908.
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions11 1/2 × 11 3/4 in. (29.2 × 29.8 cm)
frame: 12 1/4 × 12 5/8 in. (31.1 × 32.1 cm)
Credit LineMuseum Purchase, 1920
Object number1920-6
On View
Not on view
Label TextHoward Pyle' story revolves around a locked cedar chest delivered on a British ship to New York City in 1793. When it is discovered to contain a severed head, each person who encounters the chest leaves it at someone else's door. Here, an elderly recipient convinces a young lawyer to advise him on disposing of the head; the lawyer soon realizes that it is a wax replica. The chest and its head finally reach their rightful destination, a waxwork exhibition.
Image Not Available for "It's beautiful here tonight," she thought. "No matter where you go, you can't get away from beauty. But, heavens, what a lot I've had to go through to be able to recognize it."
"It's beautiful here tonight," she thought. "No matter where you go, you can't get away from beauty. But, heavens, what a lot I've had to go through to be able to recognize it."
Gayle Porter Hoskins
1923
Image Not Available for Which Shall Be Captain?
Which Shall Be Captain?
Howard Pyle
1908
Image Not Available for She ran away so quickly that he could not overtake her
She ran away so quickly that he could not overtake her
Ethel Franklin Betts Bains
1909
Image Not Available for "Stand away from that girl!" repeated de Spain harshly, backing the words with a step forward
"Stand away from that girl!" repeated de Spain harshly, backing the words with a step forward
N. C. Wyeth
1915
Image Not Available for I sat at her feet while she drilled the island language into me
I sat at her feet while she drilled the island language into me
Howard Pyle
1902
Image Not Available for I clutched at his ankle
I clutched at his ankle
Howard Pyle
1902
Image Not Available for I began to play
I began to play
Howard Pyle
1902
Image Not Available for The boat and I went by him with a rush
The boat and I went by him with a rush
Howard Pyle
1902
Image Not Available for "Who are you? and off with your hat!" I said to the man sharply
"Who are you? and off with your hat!" I said to the man sharply
Howard Pyle
1890
Image Not Available for I am the daughter of that unfortunate Captain Keitt
I am the daughter of that unfortunate Captain Keitt
Howard Pyle
1907
Image Not Available for If I catch you here again, you'll need someone to sew you up
If I catch you here again, you'll need someone to sew you up
Howard Pyle
1902
Image Not Available for I grow old having no son but Randver
I grow old having no son but Randver
Howard Pyle
1910
IMLS Logo